Light floods into the studio newly occupied by Bridge Arts, the former Murray Bridge Regional Arts Society, diffused by the pine trees behind the old railway control building. After leaving behind its old name along with the Studio Gallery on Railway Terrace, the group now occupies three rooms in the building near the Round House: the studio, plus a storeroom and office space. Drawing tutor Mary Rawlings said Bridge Arts was well set up in its new home, and appreciated the help that had enabled it to get there: from Murray Bridge and District Historical Society's Peter Harden, Maureen Stones and Ken Wells, the Murray Bridge council's Malcolm Downey and Mayor Brenton Lewis. Coming workshops at the new studio include painting on your iPad with Sue Foster on July 21, watercolour painting with Tony White on July 28, basket weaving with Pauline Hunter on August 18 and encaustic ironwork with Zilpa Van Der Gragt on September 11. A welding workshop and a screening of the film Loving Vincent, an oil-painted animation about the artist Vincent Van Gough, are also in Bridge Arts' future plans. "We're trying to make it a bit more social and all-encompassing ... to expand our horizons and try to get more people involved," Ms Rawlings said. The group's members include many beginners, some who have not used their artistic skills in many years, and established artists as well. In an email, Bridge Arts' Dianne Dawson said she was excited that the group could become part of a developing cultural precinct within the railway buildings and nearby Round House. "We can all work together to promote culture, arts and history for not only the community, but more importantly for tourism," she said. In future, she expected signage opposite the Bridgeport Hotel would direct visitors towards the precinct. Like Bridge Arts, ceramic artist Rose Walker found herself looking for a new home base when Murray Bridge Studio Gallery closed. However, she now plans to take four students on at her own studio from next month, and said she looked forward to watching them progress. "They start with a lump of clay and turn it to a masterpiece that they get the pleasure out of using," she said. "There is something special about using pieces that are handmade." Ms Walker has studied in Canberra, undertaken a residency in China and exhibited around Australia.

Bridge Arts group finds new home, seeks new members

Light floods into the studio newly occupied by Bridge Arts, the former Murray Bridge Regional Arts Society, diffused by the pine trees behind the old railway control building.

After leaving behind its old name along with the Studio Gallery on Railway Terrace, the group now occupies three rooms in the building near the Round House: the studio, plus a storeroom and office space.

Drawing tutor Mary Rawlings said Bridge Arts was well set up in its new home, and appreciated the help that had enabled it to get there: from Murray Bridge and District Historical Society's Peter Harden, Maureen Stones and Ken Wells, the Murray Bridge council's Malcolm Downey and Mayor Brenton Lewis.

Coming workshops at the new studio include painting on your iPad with Sue Foster on July 21, watercolour painting with Tony White on July 28, basket weaving with Pauline Hunter on August 18 and encaustic ironwork with Zilpa Van Der Gragt on September 11.

A welding workshop and a screening of the film Loving Vincent, an oil-painted animation about the artist Vincent Van Gough, are also in Bridge Arts' future plans.

"We're trying to make it a bit more social and all-encompassing ... to expand our horizons and try to get more people involved," Ms Rawlings said.

The group's members include many beginners, some who have not used their artistic skills in many years, and established artists as well.

In an email, Bridge Arts' Dianne Dawson said she was excited that the group could become part of a developing cultural precinct within the railway buildings and nearby Round House.

"We can all work together to promote culture, arts and history for not only the community, but more importantly for tourism," she said.

In future, she expected signage opposite the Bridgeport Hotel would direct visitors towards the precinct.